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Theatre review: Alice In Wonderland by Niche Artefact

We peaked through the looking-glass at Revolution de Cuba for an evening of art, theatre and expression with Niche Artefact's fabulously captivating Alice in Wonderland themed stage show and exhibition...

Forged by Nottingham: how artist Alicja Biała turned community stories into a new Maid Marian statue

Ahead of the unveiling of Maid Marian Way’s new statue, artist Alicja Biała talks to LeftLion about her creative process, community involvement and why representation of women in public spaces matters.

Director Alison Rashley talks us through Television Workshop's best known actors

Workshop Director Alison Rashley talks through some of the Television Workshop’s best known actors and gives the lowdown on what they were like to teach…

The working class RADA: how Alison Rashley became director of the Television Workshop

Nottingham’s Television Workshop is one the most magical things about Nottingham. Their students live and work near us all, yet barely a week goes by when one of them isn’t seen on national TV or in cinemas. The last decade has seen Workshoppers appear in Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, several Marvel and Star Wars franchises and soon the new HBO Harry Potter series. We spoke to Director Alison Rashley about the Workshop, some of the challenges they face and about their new Notts County-themed play…

In photos: Drew Thomas at Rough Trade, with Terrianne and Emily Alice

Gig review: Wolf Alice at Motorpoint Arena

As Wolf Alice have evolved into one of the best and most beloved bands in Britain, Nottingham has been there with them every step of the way. From providing a support slot for Swim Deep at Rescue Rooms well over a decade ago, to giving them their first mosh pit at The Bodega, to playing a midday slot at Dot-to-Dot and then later headlining Rock City, our city has always been a key part of their journey. Now as they complete the UK leg of their first arena tour, it seems fitting that Nottingham is the final stop. Here’s what went down…

Local racer Alicia Barrett talks her ongoing journey to international motorsport success

Motorsport is an expensive and male-dominated industry, usually only accessible for Cornelius and Clifford using their trust funds. However, 21-year-old Alicia Barrett from Southwell is looking to buck this trend. Despite her tender years, she’s more than a decade into her racing career, currently moving from kart racing to race cars, and looking for support to take it to the next level…

A Life Composed in Stories: Author Frances Thimann on how classical music shaped her latest collection

Notts writer Frances Thimann’s latest short story collection, Sweet Thames, Run Softly, Till I End My Song, dives deep into the emotional pull of classical music. We caught up with her to discuss rivers, Bach and memory...

Novelist Alison Moore and LeftLion's Andrew Tucker Leavis talk connecting Notts to Melbourne in a month long digital residency

For all of its flaws, the internet has become a wonderful tool of cross-country collaboration, allowing the movement of ideas between far-flung time zones and territories. Last year, in a month-long virtual City of Literature residency, LeftLion Literature Editor Andrew Tucker Leavis took a virtual trip down under to explore the imagined meeting of outlaws Robin Hood and Ned Kelly. Here he recounts his experience and talks to fellow Notts writer Alison Moore about what they got up to.

Gig review: International Women's Day show at The Bodega, with Lara Elise Grant, Emily Alice and Dorothy Ella

The Bodega played host to a set of empowering gigs commemorating International Women's Day, in collaboration with Dizzy Magazine. We dropped in at the downstairs bar, where pink lighting, disco balls, glitter streamers (and crucial background music of Chappell Roan and Wet Leg) were ready to celebrate and support the local female artists of Nottingham’s music scene - to honour what we have achieved, and what work still needs to be done and recognised in the predominantly patriarchal industry...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #13: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, Jayahadadream, Pretty Windows and Alice for Breakfast...

Gig review: Alien Ant Farm at Rock City

Supported by US dark rock purveyors Nocturnal Affair and late replacements InMe, the genre-leaping Alien Ant Farm make a triumphant, celebratory – and noisy – return to Rock City. We got in on the action...

Artist Di Ali-Arab Reclaims Feminine Sexuality Via Cheeky Images With Powerful Messaging

With Friday 8 March marking International Women’s Day, what better way to highlight its importance than spending time with self-proclaimed feminist, artist Di Ali-Arab. The 25-year-old is spreading a message; to turn the archetypal objectification of women on its head, and replacing it with empowering graphics of the female form. LeftLion HQ joined her in RSP Studios, where her work is currently being displayed and sold.

In Photos: Baba Ali at The Bodega

With support from Vanity Fairy and Arch Femmesis, American performer and musician Baba Doherty and British guitarist Nik Balchin, who together make up Baba Ali, brought their captivating and seductive presence to The Bodega, filling the room with infectious raw energy and groove that made standing still impossible...

Gig Review: Baba Ali at The Bodega

With support from Vanity Fairy and Arch Femmesis, American performer and musician Baba Doherty and British guitarist Nik Balchin, who together make up Baba Ali, brought their captivating and seductive presence to The Bodega, filling the room with infectious raw energy and groove that made standing still impossible...

Diana Ali Opens Up on Studying at Nottingham Trent, Being On TV and Wanting a Word With the Government

Since moving to study Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University, Diana Ali has established herself as a key figure in the city’s art scene - and has also featured in TV shows including the BBC’s Big Painting Challenge and Inside Museums, which she wrote and presented. We hear from the artist, curator, lecturer and mentor about her time at Trent, promoting the arts on TV, and why she’s hoping to have a strong word with the Government… 

Thirty Years Later: Alien3

A bad Alien film? It was once unthinkable, but it happened in 1992 - according to the critics, anyway. But were they right? Sadly, yes... 

Gig Review: Wolf Alice at Rock City

Wolf Alice brought their dazzling new and old hits to the stage of Rock City on Sunday and it was certainly a night to remember, filled with sophistication, confidence and power…

Film Review: Alien on Stage

Backstage, no one can hear you scream...

Preview: Alicia by Beyond Theatre

Colwick Hall will host a one-of-a-kind rock opera in its stunning surroundings next month...

Meditation in Nottingham: “I say whenever the mind gets too full with stuff, that's the time to close your eyes and take a focused breath."

George White explains how he overcame his initial scepticism to harness the true benefits of meditation... 

Nusic New Music Podcast #219 with Do Nothing, Alice Robbins, Alfie Sharp, The Avion and More...

LeftLion Film Podcast #23 - Mayhem Film Festival 2019 Review

Ali Emm and Penny Reeve join hosts Ashley Carter and Derry Shillitto to give their verdict on Mayhem Film Festival 2019...

Artist and Curator Diana Ali on Her Role as Mentor on BBC's The Big Painting Challenge

This month sees The Big Painting Challenge back on our screens for a third series. We caught up with artist, curator and Nottingham resident Diana Ali to talk about her career and role as a mentor on the BBC One show…

Sleaford Mods' Jason Williamson on New Album Eton Alive

It’s set to be another big year for Sleaford Mods, with new album Eton Alive due to drop on Friday 22 February and a nationwide tour kicking off in the spring. We met up with Jason Williamson in a bustling cafe on Bread and Lard Island to catch up on the original Austerity Dog’s views on Brexit, eighties r’n’b and, erm, Shane Richie…